Environment 4 - Indonesia at Melbourne

Talking Indonesia: palm oil and indigenous peoples

Environment, Human Rights, Talking Indonesia

As palm oil plantations expand rapidly across Papua, what are its impacts on the forests and peoples whose culture and livelihoods are inextricably linked to them? Dr Jemma Purdey discusses this and more with Dr Sophie Chao in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

After Jakarta: imagining a new capital

Analysis, Environment, Infrastructure

In spite of the challenges involved with establishing a new capital, Dr Amanda Achmadi writes that the proposal is a valuable opportunity to discuss what constitutes Indonesia beyond Java, and how regional Indonesians see their future as part of the nation.

Talking Indonesia: environmental activism and art

Arts, Environment, Talking Indonesia

Bali is home to a vibrant environmental movement involving collaboration between activists, artists and musicians. In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Dirk Tomsa chats to Dr Edwin Jurriens about the main players and how they are using art and music to promote change.

Why land titling isn’t working

Analysis, Environment, Law

Since coming to power, the administration of President Joko Widodo has accelerated the national land certification program, believing that secure land tenure can contribute to economic growth and improved welfare for rural people. But Emilianus Yakob Sese Tolo writes that land certification may have led to some unintended negative outcomes.

Talking Indonesia: environmental politics

Environment, Natural Resources, Talking Indonesia

How is Indonesia balancing its environmental challenges with its economic interests? What are the roles of government, business and civil society? Dr Jemma Purdey explores these issues with Professor Suraya Affif, from the University of Indonesia, in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

Social forestry: panacea or problem?

Analysis, Environment

The government has ambitious plans to hand over 12.7 million hectares of forest to community management by 2019. Dr Abidah Setyowati writes that while the social forestry initiative could increase communities' access to, and ability to obtain benefits from, forest resources, several major challenges remain.

Talking Indonesia: wildlife trafficking & conservation

Environment, Talking Indonesia

Why has wildlife trafficking reached such enormous proportions in Indonesia? Who and what are the main drivers of the trade? And what initiatives exist to combat wildlife trafficking and enhance conservation efforts? In Talking Indonesia, Dr Dirk Tomsa discusses these issues with Eleanor Paish, a zoologist and filmmaker from the University of West England, and Adam Miller, executive director and founder of Planet Indonesia.

Land rights in Jokowi's Indonesia

Analysis, Environment, Natural Resources

When he assumed the presidency, Joko Widodo made a commitment to strengthen the rights of local communities over land and forests. Dr Rachael Diprose writes that despite recent advancements in the legal and institutional recognition of land rights, many challenges remain.

Did humans cause the Lusi mudflow disaster?